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  1. Taxpayers Liable for Second-Rate Development Risks

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union questions the Government’s decision to double down on exposing taxpayers to risky development schemes following the announcement that they plan to invest a further $159 million in projects at risk of failure.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, says:“We all recognize that the housing shortage is the...

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  2. Government ideology driving up house prices, increasing cost of living

     The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the Government’s plans to implement a cap on emissions from new buildings - a policy which will drive up house prices and put more pressure on Kiwi families during a cost of living crisis.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves says:“A cap on construction emissions...

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  3. Taxpayer Update: Nosey Parker's envy tax report 🤑💰 | Scrap the Ute Tax 🏹🛻 | Ruth Richardson on 'no solutions' budget 📰🎙️

    Nosey Parker's Pet Project: The envy tax report 🤑💰Last week, the IRD published its much anticipated report on high net wealth individuals. Their research project looked at the level of tax paid by just over 300 of the wealthiest New Zealanders. They carried out this project thanks to new...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Nosey Parker's envy tax report 🤑💰 | Scrap the Ute Tax 🏹🛻 | Ruth Richardson on 'no solutions' budget 📰🎙️

  4. Outrageous that ‘super rich’ getting winter energy payments to warm pools

    Outrageous that ‘super rich’ getting winter energy payments to warm poolsThe Taxpayers’ Union is accusing Government Ministers of crocodile tears about the so-called ‘super rich’ inequality given their defence of the winter energy payment going to those who clearly don’t need it.Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Jordan Williams, says:“Taxing those struggling with the...

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  6. Taxpayers’ Union Annual Review Released

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has today released its annual review, covering the last 12 months of operations.The report is available online here. Hard copies are also available on request.Taxpayers’ Union Chairman, Laurence Kubiak, says:“Between the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union and our sister group, the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance, our campaigns in the last 12 months have...

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  7. Are the National Party serious about good fiscal management or not?

    The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the National Party’s commitment to continuing government contributions to the NZ Super Fund, despite growing public debt and economic headwinds.Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says:“Let’s be very clear what this policy involves: the National Party are saying they will continue to borrow in...

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  8. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes ‘no new taxes’ budget pledge but devil will be in the detail

    Taxpayers’ Union welcomes ‘no new taxes’ budget pledge but devil will be in the detailCommenting on the Prime Minister’s pre-budget speech, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“While the cyclone recovery will be costly, hiking taxes on hardworking New Zealanders during a cost of living crisis would have been the...

    Read more about Taxpayers’ Union welcomes ‘no new taxes’ budget pledge but devil will be in the detail

  10. Taxpayer Update: The $153,000 wallaby 🦘 | Co-governance, a Northern Ireland perspective 🇬🇧🇮🇪 | Welfare for airlines 🛫

    Hopping mad: COVID-19 funding to ‘destroy’ wallabies for $153,000 a pop 🦘🔫 After almost six months’ worth of excuses, transfers and extensions on an Official Information Act request sent back in November, your humble Taxpayers' Union has revealed that taxpayers and Otago ratepayers have forked out more than $2.76 million and employed...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: The $153,000 wallaby 🦘 | Co-governance, a Northern Ireland perspective 🇬🇧🇮🇪 | Welfare for airlines 🛫

  11. A lesson from Northern Ireland: Where co-government often means no government at all

    This month marks the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland. It ended a decades-long conflict between Irish Republicans and British Unionists.As a relative newcomer to New Zealand and someone who spent time working in Northern Irish politics, I have noticed political parallels...

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  12. ACT MP Simon Court on Three Waters and the Proposed RMA Reforms

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, sits down with ACT Party MP, Simon Court, to discuss the recent Three Waters rebrand, the proposed resource management reforms and what ACT is proposing to solve New Zealand's significant infrastructure and planning problems.Simon Court is ACT's...

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  13. Affluent Airline Assistance – Councils funnel millions into failing regional flight services

    The Taxpayers’ Union has revealed that several councils have forked out millions of ratepayer dollars to subsidise a private airline and the wealthy individuals using it.Across Kāpiti Coast, Whakatāne, and Whanganui, ratepayers have footed the bill for over $2 million in corporate (and middle-class) welfare to maintain regular...

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  14. Misleading statements used to justify another $16 million in corporate welfare for big business

    Misleading statements used to justify another $16 million in corporate welfare for big businessThe Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Minister of Energy and Resources, Megan Woods, for her claim that the Government Investment in Industry Decarbonisation Fund (GIDI) will reduce New Zealand’s emissions.Announcing the Round Four recipients of the GIDI...

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  15. Waka Kotahi’s fee changes a blatant tax grab and additional barrier to upskilling

    Waka Kotahi’s fee changes a blatant tax grab and additional barrier to upskillingChanges to motor vehicle licensing and registration fees will whack productive New Zealanders with higher costs while Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency) continues to grow its backroom bureaucracy warns the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.When the proposed changes...

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  16. Give us a break: Inflation figures demonstrate need for tax relief and public spending restraint

    Commenting on today’s inflation figures announcement, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“The overall rate of inflation remains stubbornly high despite an aggressive tightening of monetary policy by the Reserve Bank. The fact that non-tradable inflation is at its highest level since the series began demonstrates that the problem...

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  17. Misleading comments by Biosecurity New Zealand on Otago wallaby cull called out

    The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Biosecurity NZ for what appear to be misleading statements suggesting that the Otago wallaby cull cost ($2.76 million for 18 animals or $153,000 per wallaby destroyed) is justified on the basis that the number “in no way represented the number killed”.John Walsh of Biosecurity...

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  18. Taxpayers should be hopping mad at $153,000 kill cost per wallaby in Otago

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that taxpayers and Otago Regional Council ratepayers have forked out $2.76 million and more than 26,000 hours of work for a wallaby control programme that killed just 18 wallabies.The Otago component of the National Wallaby Eradication Programme administered by Biosecurity New Zealand cost...

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  19. Local Government Minister yet to meet with Three Waters Critics

    The Taxpayer’s Union is still waiting for Local Government Minister, Kieran McAnulty, to respond to the invitation to meet and discuss improvements to the Government’s controversial Three Waters programme. The Minister agreed to meet with concerned mayors last month but has not responded to the Union’s request for ratepayers to...

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  20. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Māori Party holds balance of power 📊 | Henry VIII power grab ⚖️💥 | Time to end Beehive's lobbying revolving door 💼💰

    NEW POLL: Māori Party holds the balance of power 📊Available exclusively to supporters like you, we can reveal the results of our April Taxpayers' Union – Curia poll. Labour is up one point to 37% and National is up two points to 37%. ACT is up one point to 10% while the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Māori Party holds balance of power 📊 | Henry VIII power grab ⚖️💥 | Time to end Beehive's lobbying revolving door 💼💰

  21. Taxpayer Talk: Ray Chung on Wellington City Council's 12.3% Rate Hike

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, Taxpayers' Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, sits down with Wellington City Councillor, Ray Chung, to discuss Wellington’s shocking 12.3% rates rise and why this is being driven by inefficient, wasteful spending at the Council.Councillor Chung was elected just last year as the representative...

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  24. Access to information fundamental for accountability

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Te Whatu Ora to immediately prioritise republishing key health reporting data after it was revealed that it was taken down nearly three weeks ago.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves Says:“Easy access to key data and performance metrics are fundamental for ensuring accountability and...

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  25. Taxpayer Update: Manager numbers explode 👩🏻‍💼👨🏻‍💼🔺 | Virtue signalling over cutting net emissions 🌡️😔 | City Rail Link throws good money after bad 🚆🤑

    🔍 Taxpayer Investigation: Public sector managers growing at double rate of frontline workers 👩🏻‍💼👨🏻‍💼🔺While the Government has denied for years that Wellington's 'head offices' are getting bloated, your humble Taxpayers' Union has exposed that public sector managers have been growing at nearly twice the rate of frontline workers since the current Government came...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Manager numbers explode 👩🏻‍💼👨🏻‍💼🔺 | Virtue signalling over cutting net emissions 🌡️😔 | City Rail Link throws good money after bad 🚆🤑

  26. Access to information fundamental for accountability

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Te Whatu Ora to immediately prioritise republishing key health reporting data after it was revealed that it was taken down nearly three weeks ago.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves Says:“Easy access to key data and performance metrics are fundamental for ensuring accountability and...

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  27. Ministerial power grab must be stopped

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union condemns the Government’s decision to allow only one day for written submissions on the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill.The proposed legislation would allow a minister to exempt, modify, or extend provisions of almost any piece of legislation without any form of democratic scrutiny.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves says:“This bill would...

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  28. ETS must be allowed to do its job of reducing net carbon emissions

    Responding to the Ministry for the Environment’s announcement of a review into New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, says:“While a review of New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme is long overdue, the Government’s prioritisation of reducing gross carbon emissions over net emissions is illogical and ill-informed. Such an...

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  29. Public sector managers growing at twice the rate of frontline workers

    Public sector managers growing at twice the rate of frontline workersFigures unearthed by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveal that the growth in public sector managers is almost twice that of frontline social, health and education workers.Since 2017, the frontline workforce for social services, health and education has increased by...

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  30. Government should not be spending taxpayer money to lobby itself

    The Taxpayers’ Union has slammed the revelation that government agencies and State Owned Enterprises are spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars on lobbying firms as revealed by Radio NZ this morning.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“Taxpayers’ money should not be used to pay for sock puppets to lobby the...

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  31. Local Government Minister should meet Taxpayers’ Union on Three Waters

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is pleased to hear that the Minister of Local Government, Kieran McAnulty, has invited concerned mayors to the Beehive to discuss the Three Waters reforms but believe he should meet with the country’s largest taxpayer and ratepayer organization too.The Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, has written to the Minister requesting...

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  32. Taxpayer Update: Planning Power Grab 🏠🛑 | Wellington must stop hoarding taxes 💰⚠️ | Avatar producers should pay back subsidies 🎥💸

    Time to stop Parker's planning power grab 🏠🛑Last week, we blew the whistle on the Government's planning reforms, which seek to replace the awful Resource Management Act with something even worse. It takes all the worst elements of Three Waters – like seizing powers from councils and introducing unelected...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Planning Power Grab 🏠🛑 | Wellington must stop hoarding taxes 💰⚠️ | Avatar producers should pay back subsidies 🎥💸

  34. Bigger doesn’t mean better – Canterbury and Waikato Supercities are a bad idea

    Bigger doesn’t mean better – Canterbury and Waikato Supercities are a bad ideaThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says that proposals from Hamilton and Christchurch City Councils to create new supercities are a bad idea that would increase costs for ratepayers, undermine local control and reduce democratic accountability.The Union is also calling on the Government to commission...

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  35. Avatar producers should pay back taxpayer subsidies

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union congratulates Wētā FX on their success at the Oscars with Avatar: The Way of Water but is disappointed that it is tainted by the millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies that franchise has received.Taxpayers have forked out over $140 million in subsidies for the Avatar sequels, the first of which grossed...

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  36. Hard-working Kiwi taxpayers deserve indexation too

    Today’s announcement that the Government is adjusting superannuation and main benefits for inflation highlights the need for a principled approach to income taxes.“While those receiving taxpayer support get an adjustment, hard-working New Zealanders are going backwards each and every day,” says Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves.“Indexing tax brackets for...

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  37. $1 billion savings welcome – but policy campfire doesn't go far enough

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement of $1 billion of savings from dropping unpopular policies, including that ‘cash for clunkers’ scheme, but has said that this does not go far enough.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:"This $568 million 'cash for clunkers' scheme was simply classic middle class...

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  38. Wellington City Council must slash waste to prepare for climate change

    Wellington City Council must slash waste to prepare for climate changeOn Monday, The Dominion Post reported that Wellington City Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee has been advised to spend an additional $15.4 million on retaining walls to prevent floods and land slippage caused by extreme weather.Taxpayers’ Union Local Government spokesperson, Josh...

    Read more about Wellington City Council must slash waste to prepare for climate change

  40. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Labour takes the lead 📊💥 | Media merger still costing thousands 📺💰 | Clarke Gayford's taxpayer-funded trip 🐧🛩️

    NEW POLL Labour takes lead over National while Hipkins's popularity continues to soar 📊💥Exclusive to supporters like you, we can reveal the results of this month's Taxpayers' Union – Curia Poll and it’s a big one. On these numbers, October’s election is set to be a close one.For the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Labour takes the lead 📊💥 | Media merger still costing thousands 📺💰 | Clarke Gayford's taxpayer-funded trip 🐧🛩️

  42. Government U-turn highlights confused transport policy

    Government U-turn highlights confused transport policyYesterday’s quick U-turn from the Government on the reported shift to an emissions reduction focus for the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) highlights a more fundamental problem with transport policy making. Forcing road users to subsidise walking, cycling and other activities is not only...

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  43. Taxpayer Update: Labour's app tax 📱🧾 | Why Rob Campbell had to go 🪑❌ | Taxpayer-funded fringe activism 🎭💵

    No new taxes? Say hello to the Government's 'app tax'📱🧾For a Government that committed not to introduce new taxes, they seem to be doing a good job of coming up with innovative ideas for how to pinch more of your hard earned dollars.Remember the furore last year about...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Labour's app tax 📱🧾 | Why Rob Campbell had to go 🪑❌ | Taxpayer-funded fringe activism 🎭💵

  44. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Rob Campbell and Jordan Williams on neutrality in the public service

    On this episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams speaks with former Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Chair, Rob Campbell, to discuss political neutrality within the public service. Campbell was publicly sacked from his high-profile position in the public service after making controversial comments about the National Party's Three...

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  46. Taxpayers shouldn’t be made to foot the bill for fringe activism

    The Taxpayers’ Union had called for the Government to stop allowing taxpayer dollars to be spent on funding fringe activism. The call comes after a stage show called ‘The Savage Coloniser’ received $107,280.Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:“People will have different views on the value of arts funding. You...

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  47. NEW POLL: Kiwis still trust Luxon/Willis marginally over Hipkins/Robertson on economy

    NEW POLL: Kiwis still trust Luxon/Willis marginally over Hipkins/Robertson on economyA new Taxpayers' Union – Curia poll found that New Zealanders narrowly preferred Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis (43% of respondents) to Chris Hipkins and Grant Robertson (39%) as the most trusted team to manage the economy. 18% of respondents...

    Read more about NEW POLL: Kiwis still trust Luxon/Willis marginally over Hipkins/Robertson on economy

  48. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Nick Stewart on the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams sits down with Nick Stewart to discuss the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. The recent cyclone devastated many parts of the country, particularly Hawke's Bay and Gisborne on the East Coast of the North Island. Along with claiming lives and livelihoods, the cyclone...

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  49. Position of Health NZ Chair untenable

    Position of Health NZ Chair untenableHighly political comments by Rob Campbell — who is Chair of both Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand and the Environmental Protection Agency —  make his continued employment as one of the Government’s most senior public servants untenable, says the Taxpayers’ Union. The Union has written to the Public...

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  50. Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes National’s Three Waters Alternative

    Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes National’s Three Waters AlternativeNational’s ‘Local Water Done Well’ alternative to Three Waters is bang on what the Taxpayers’ Union and local councils have been calling for. It meets the Taxpayers’ Union’s red lines of respecting property rights, retaining community control, ensuring local accountability, giving councils the ability to opt into...

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  51. Taxpayer Update: How to cut wasteful spending 💰 | Hipkins spent $1 million on truancy 'awareness' 🏫❌ | High Court confirms Three Waters is asset grab ⚖️🚰

    It's been a tough few weeks. Like so many, our team in Wellington have family and friends who have lost their homes and livelihoods following Cyclone Gabrielle and our thoughts continue to be with all of those who have been affected. Government must cut wasteful spending – not hike...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: How to cut wasteful spending 💰 | Hipkins spent $1 million on truancy 'awareness' 🏫❌ | High Court confirms Three Waters is asset grab ⚖️🚰

  52. Government needs to tighten its belt following latest OCR hike

    Government needs to tighten its belt following latest OCR hikeThe Taxpayers’ Union has called on the Government to tighten its belt as the Reserve Bank announces a 50 basis points increase in the Official Cash Rate (OCR).Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“Kiwis needing to renew their mortgages will bear the...

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  53. PM Hipkins must issue ‘please explain’ to former Minister of Education Hipkins

    New Zealand’s new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins recently announced a $74million package that would bring back “truancy officers” with 82 new roles established in a bid to curtail the dismal school attendance statistics that are now widely acknowledged to be at crisis point. While this pragmatic measure will be welcomed...

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  54. Government should cut wasteful spending – not hike taxes – to fund cyclone clean up

    Government should cut wasteful spending – not hike taxes – to fund cyclone clean upThe Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the Government to rule out raising taxes to fund the cost of the Cyclone Gabrielle clean up after earlier today Chris Hipkins refused to rule out a ‘cyclone levy’ similar...

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  55. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr Oliver Hartwich and Callum Purves on the future of local government

    In the latest edition of Taxpayer Talk, the focus is on local government with guests Dr Oliver Hartwich and Callum Purves. A review into the future of local government has been commissioned but it fails to address the main issues affecting the sector, in particular the way it’s...

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr Oliver Hartwich and Callum Purves on the future of local government

  56. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Labour bounce 📊 | Taxpayer Victories! TVNZ/RNZ Merger Scrapped 📺🔥 | Jobs Tax Put on Ice 💰🧊

    First and foremost, our thoughts are with those who are facing yet more severe weather across the North Island with Cyclone Gabrielle.Last week was a big week for the Taxpayers' Union with multiple policy victories announced by the Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins: The jobs tax was put on...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL Labour bounce 📊 | Taxpayer Victories! TVNZ/RNZ Merger Scrapped 📺🔥 | Jobs Tax Put on Ice 💰🧊

  57. Eleanor Catton should put our money where her mouth is and pay it back

    Eleanor Catton should put our money where her mouth is and pay it backThe Taxpayers’ Union is hitting back against Eleanor Catton’s cheap shots aired on Radio NZ over the weekend, where she labeled the Union 'sinister' for publishing the generous subsidies Ms Catton had received following her earlier attacks on the NZ Government being run by...

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  58. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Paul Melville and Mark Hooper on the Resource Management Reforms

    In the latest edition of Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams talks with Federated Farmers’ Paul Melville and Mark Hooper about the proposed new planning and environmental legislation to replace the Resource Management Act.While there is almost unanimous agreement the much maligned RMA needs to be updated and changed,...

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Paul Melville and Mark Hooper on the Resource Management Reforms

  59. Taxpayer Victory! Government scraps jobs tax (for now)

    Taxpayer Victory! Government scraps jobs tax (for now)The Taxpayers’ Union has welcomed the Government’s decision to take the proposed social insurance scheme off the table for the rest of this parliament but has warned against bringing back similar proposals in future.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“The Government’s unemployment insurance scheme...

    Read more about Taxpayer Victory! Government scraps jobs tax (for now)

  60. Policy victory for the Taxpayers’ Union: Hipkins scraps the media merger no one wanted

    Policy victory for the Taxpayers’ Union: Hipkins scraps the media merger no one wantedThe Taxpayers’ Union is delighted at the news that the TVNZ/RNZ media merger is to be scrapped.Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:“Our former Chairman, a former TVNZ board member, Barrie Saunders was among the...

    Read more about Policy victory for the Taxpayers’ Union: Hipkins scraps the media merger no one wanted

  61. Taxpayer Update: Taxpayer Victory! Fuel tax cut extended ⛽💸 | New Local Government Minister 💼💦 | Turning taxpayer dollars into stone 💰🪨

    Quite rightly, the focus of the media this week has been the terrible flooding situation in Auckland – for those affected by the flooding, our thoughts are with you.It's also been a a busy week in politics. We are delighted that more than 11,000 of our supporters have written...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Taxpayer Victory! Fuel tax cut extended ⛽💸 | New Local Government Minister 💼💦 | Turning taxpayer dollars into stone 💰🪨

  62. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Stephen Franks on the Three Waters Legal Challenge

    In our first episode of Taxpayer Talk for 2023, Peter Williams is joined by lawyer Stephen Franks. Stephen is a founding director of the commercial and public law firm Franks Ogilvie, a former member of Parliament and spokesperson for the Water Users' Group. Stephen joins Peter to discuss why...

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Stephen Franks on the Three Waters Legal Challenge

  63. Right call to end blanket Auckland school closure

    Right call to end blanket Auckland school closureThe Taxpayers’ Union has welcomed the decision to lift the Ministry of Education’s directive on Auckland schools and other learning facilities, which means schools can open from tomorrow at their discretion.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves said:“It has been a difficult time for Aucklanders but...

    Read more about Right call to end blanket Auckland school closure

  64. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes decision to extend fuel tax cut

    Taxpayers’ Union welcomes decision to extend fuel tax cutThe Taxpayers’ Union – which has been campaigning for an extension to the diesel road-user charges and petrol excise reductions – has welcomed the Government’s announcement today that the fuel tax cuts will continue until 30 June.They have, however, called on the Government...

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  65. Taxpayers’ Union welcomes new Minister for Local Government

    Taxpayers’ Union welcomes new Minister for Local GovernmentThe Taxpayer’s Union has welcomed the appointment of a new Minister for Local Government and encouraged Kieran McAnulty to press pause on the Three Waters reforms.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said:“A new Minister for Local Government presents an opportunity for the Government...

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  67. Let our Schools Decide: Taxpayers’ Union launches petition

    Let our Schools Decide: Taxpayers’ Union launches petitionThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has launched a petition calling for schools to have the authority to make their own decisions about emergency closures based on local circumstances rather than be beholden to bureaucrats in Wellington.Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager Callum Purves says:“The blanket...

    Read more about Let our Schools Decide: Taxpayers’ Union launches petition

  68. SNAP POLL: Hipkins clear voter favourite for Labour Party leadership race

     Following Thursday’s surprise announcement by Jacinda Ardern that she will be stepping down as Labour Party leader, the Taxpayers’ Union commissioned a snap poll asking a thousand New Zealanders who should take over as Prime Minister and whether leading candidates will make voters more or less likely to...

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  69. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL – PM goes negative as Labour hits new low 📊 | Extra holidays for public servants 🏖️💰 | Damien O'Connor's laundry bill 🧺🧼

    Welcome to the first Taxpayer Update of 2023! I hope you had a good break.Yesterday's shock announcement of Jacinda Ardern's resignation as prime minister is likely to improve Labour's chances of re-election later this year, based on numbers we're releasing today in the first political poll of 2023.We don't yet...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL – PM goes negative as Labour hits new low 📊 | Extra holidays for public servants 🏖️💰 | Damien O'Connor's laundry bill 🧺🧼

  70. Vegetarian Conversion

    Auckland Council discriminates against vegetarians in $46,000 giveaway to meat eatersAuckland Council spends $46,227 on a giveaway coercing meat-eating households to convert to vegetarianism. Around 2 months ago, one of our supporters notified us of an email they received where participants had the chance to obtain a free giveaway...

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  72. Extra Holidays for Public Servants

    Revealed: Taxpayers spending at least $75 million per year on additional days off for public servantsNew research from the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveals that public servants are receiving additional days of paid leave, beyond their statutory entitlements, amounting to more than $75 million per year. This year,...

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  73. Revealed: Taxpayers spending at least $75 million per year on additional days off for public servants

    New research from the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveals that public servants are receiving additional days of paid leave, beyond their statutory entitlements, amounting to more than $75 million per year.This year, taxpayers paid public servants for over 167,000 days that they weren’t even at work, excluding the...

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  74. Taxpayer Update: Taxes going up at the pump ⛽💲 | Tick-Tock on the Debt Clock 💰⏰ | Apology to ACT 🥺🙏🙇

    Tell Grant Robertson to Freeze Fuel Taxes ⛽💲After a very successful Taxpayers' Union campaign earlier this year, the Government cut fuel taxes by 25c per litre (that's 29c once you include the GST). This policy victory saw a $1.39 billion ($715 per Kiwi household) saving at the pump.But as an early...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Taxes going up at the pump ⛽💲 | Tick-Tock on the Debt Clock 💰⏰ | Apology to ACT 🥺🙏🙇

  75. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Christmas Special with Hon Ruth Richardson and Jordan Williams

    In this year's final episode of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams hosts fellow Taxpayers' Union board members Hon Ruth Richardson and Executive Director, Jordan Williams, to review the highs and lows of 2022.Peter sits down with Ruth and Jordan to discuss everything from the economy to education to Winston Peters.As...

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  76. Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊 | ACT wrong on indexation 💸 | Kiwis back lobbying cooling-off period 🥶

    We were right: Three Waters = Higher Water Costs 💦💰The NZ Herald has confirmed what your humble Taxpayers' Union has been saying all along – Three Waters means higher water costs. Now that the first bill to implement the Three Waters reforms has passed Parliament, the Government is moving onto...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: NEW POLL 📊 | ACT wrong on indexation 💸 | Kiwis back lobbying cooling-off period 🥶

  79. Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Game Playing 💦 | National's U-Turns 💸 | Logo Competition Winner 🎨

    It's been another eventful week in Wellington with U-turns from National and constitutional game-playing from Labour and the Greens.But before we get to that – the team are off to Hamilton on Monday for our Hamilton West by-election debate jointly hosted by the Taxpayers' Union and our friends...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Game Playing 💦 | National's U-Turns 💸 | Logo Competition Winner 🎨

  80. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr James McDowall MP on the Hamilton West by-election

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams hosts ACT Party MP Dr James McDowall. Peter sits down with James to discuss his candidacy for the Hamilton West by-election. The three highest polling candidates for Hamilton West were all invited to appear on this podcast but only Dr McDowall agreed...

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  81. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Andrew Bayly MP on the IRD’s new powers

    In this edition of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams’s guest is National Party MP and Revenue Spokesperson, Andrew Bayly. Peter and Andrew sit down to discuss the Inland Revenue Department's new powers to request information from individuals. In 2020, while all the attention was focused on the new 39% top...

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  82. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Novelist Alan Duff on Education and Social Outcomes

    In this edition of Taxpayer Talk, Peter Williams’s guest is author Alan Duff, the creator of the hugely successful and influential book and movie Once Were Warriors and the founder of the Duffy Books in Homes programme. Duff's best known book and the movie came out around thirty years...

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  83. Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Poll 💦📊 | Taxman Takeover 💰🤥 | Taxpayer Talk 🎙️

    We are winning! New poll shows opposition to Three Waters at record high 💦📊Last week, we released a new poll that showed opposition to the Government's Three Waters reforms has reached a new high. 60 percent of Kiwis are now against the proposals while just 23 percent are in...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Three Waters Poll 💦📊 | Taxman Takeover 💰🤥 | Taxpayer Talk 🎙️

  85. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Danish Free Speech advocate Jacob Mchangama

    This week, Peter Williams hosts free speech campaigner Jacob Mchangama, a Danish lawyer who recently visited New Zealand. His visit was prescient as the Justice Minister Kiri Allan has recently promised that hate speech legislation will be in our Parliament by the end of the year.Jacob is the...

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  87. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr Claire Charters on He Puapua and Co-Governance

    This week Peter Williams is back on Taxpayer Talk with a highly anticipated interview with Auckland University's Dr Claire Charters.  Claire's research has focused on indigenous peoples’ rights in international and constitutional law, including how the Treaty of Waitangi should interact with our legal system.Claire was one of...

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  88. Taxpayer Talk with Jordan Williams: Campaigns Manager Callum Purves + UK TaxPayers' Alliance CE John O'Connell

    As Peter is away this week, the latest Taxpayer Talk podcast is hosted by Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams (no relation), with something of a UK special. Jordan sits down with the Taxpayers' Union's most recent hire, Callum Purves, who is our new Campaigns Manager. Callum has...

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  89. Taxpayer Update: POLL: 3 in 5 Oppose Income Insurance | Tax Relief Must Be Paid For | Mayors Should Stop Three Waters

    To view this newsletter online, click here. To share it on Facebook, click here.Dear Supporter,This week, we found out that the annual inflation rate had barely changed and the quarterly rate is actually on the rise. While the Government has been failing to do its job to control...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: POLL: 3 in 5 Oppose Income Insurance | Tax Relief Must Be Paid For | Mayors Should Stop Three Waters

  90. Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

     It has been a good week for ratepayers and taxpayers with a big swing against 'tax and spend' candidates across most of the country in the local body elections. For Labour, many commentators are saying it's a warning. So too is our latest poll, released just now.NEW POLL:...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

  91. Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

     It has been a good week for ratepayers and taxpayers with a big swing against 'tax and spend' candidates across most of the country in the local body elections. For Labour, many commentators are saying it's a warning. So too is our latest poll, released just now.NEW POLL:...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Centre-Right stay on top in new poll 📊 | Mayors oppose Three Waters | Stop the fuel tax hike

  93. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: David Round on the Treaty of Waitangi and Co-Governance

    This week on Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams is joined by David Round, a former Canterbury University law lecturer, to discuss the Treaty of Waitangi and co-governance. As an expert in the fields of Legal History, Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence and Environmental Law, David is well equipped to comment...

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  94. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Dr Christoph Schumacher on modernising how we report on the economy

    In the middle of a cost of living crisis, key economic indicators are more important to track than ever. This week on Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams sits down with Dr Christoph Schumacher, Professor of Innovation & Economics and Director of the Knowledge Exchange Hub at Massey University....

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  95. Get hit to get help

    The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union calls on Government to provide greater transparency over their crime prevention fund for local shop owners.In May earlier this year, the Government announced their “Crime Prevention Package”, a $6 million programme aimed at preventing ram-raids and other forms of retail crime. Since then,...

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  96. Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk (excerpt): The state of local government with retiring councillor Chris Milne

    This is an excerpt from our long-form podcast released weekly by host Peter Williams. You can listen to the full podcast here. In this episode of Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams sits down with retiring Hutt City Councillor Chris Milne to discuss the state of local government in New Zealand....

    Read more about Peter Williams Hosts Taxpayer Talk (excerpt): The state of local government with retiring councillor Chris Milne

  97. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Economist Eric Crampton on Three Waters and the ETS + Retiring Councillor Chris Milne

    On this week's episode of Taxpayer Talk, host Peter Williams is joined by Eric Crampton, Chief Economist at the New Zealand Initiative, to discuss the Government's Three Waters reforms and his alternative proposal for how local councils can finance long-term infrastructure investment more effectively. Peter and Eric also discuss...

    Read more about Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Economist Eric Crampton on Three Waters and the ETS + Retiring Councillor Chris Milne

  98. Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Professor James Allan + Analysis of latest Taxpayers' Union Curia Poll

    In the wake of the Queen’s passing, the latest edition of Taxpayer Talk focuses on the British Monarchy. Host Peter Williams is joined by Canadian-born, Australian domiciled law Professor James Allan who reflects on why the British Monarchy is the most successful anywhere and why having a queen...

    Read more about Peter Williams hosts Taxpayer Talk: Professor James Allan + Analysis of latest Taxpayers' Union Curia Poll

  100. Taxpayer Update: Ratepayers' Report | Tax U-Turn | Farewell Trevor Mallard

    To view this newsletter online, click here. To share it on Facebook, click here.Dear Supporter,NEW: 2022 Ratepayer Report league tablesWe’ve just released the 2022 Ratepayers’ Report, our popular local government league tables – in time for local elections! Josh was on Radio NZ this morning to discuss the...

    Read more about Taxpayer Update: Ratepayers' Report | Tax U-Turn | Farewell Trevor Mallard

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